ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review Role of Venketeshwar Deo on Odia Movement Dr. Chittaranjan Mishra Odisha disintegrated after 1568, with the death Paralakhemundi on 26-27 December 1914 that of last independent ruler Mukunda Dev in Gohiri "Can you say that I am alive if you cut off my Tikir War. The Bhois in Khurda, the Bhanjas in head and keep it at Ranchi, throw my trunk into Ghumsur and Mayurbhanja and the Chauhans in the Bay of Bengal and keep up my legs in the Sambalpur rose into prominence. The attempts Madras Hospital ? This is the condition of our of the Mughals, the Maratha and the French failed Utkal Mother who is lying dead being disfigured to consolidate their position for a longer period in and separated from her body." In the year 1902 Odisha. But very cunningly and diplomatically the Ganjam Odias sent a memorandum to Lord Britishers became successful to establish their Curzon in which they spoke of themselves as “a control and political influence over Odisha by limb separated from the body”. suppressing the Mughals, Maratha and French In course of time the enlightened and power. East India Company conquered Odisha progressive minded Odias were greatly alarmed in a phased manner, first the southern part, then at the increasing socio-political, economic and the coastal region and finally the Sambalpur and cultural backwardness of Odisha and prepared the adjoining tracts. For their administrative themselves to face the challenge for protection of convenience they integrated Southern Odisha with Odia language and amalgamation of Odia Madras Presidency in 1766, the coastal Odisha speaking tracts. This led to the growth of Odia with Bengal Presidency in 1803 and the Western Nationalism and Nationalist Movement in Odisha, Odisha with Central Provinces in 1849. Both which has been divided into two phases from official and non-official attempts were made to British conquest of Odisha to the Birth of Utkal introduce Bengali in Balasore District, Telugu in Sammilani (1803 to 1903) and from the Birth of Ganjam and Koraput Districts and Hindi in Utkal Union Conference to Birth of Separate Sambalpur District. This territorial Odisha State 1903 to 1936. The pioneer of the dismemberment of Odisha injuriously affected the first phase of the Odia Nationalist Movement was linguistic, cultural and economic interests of Odias. Katinga Raja Venketeshwar Deo. As a result, Odia language and culture was in a grave danger. Observing this pathetic condition ‘Katingia was a small Zamidari of of Odisha, Raja of Manjusa remarked in the Tenth Kandhamal District which is presently situated in session of Utkal Union Conference held at Daringbadi Panchayat of Baliguda Sub-Division. 70 April - 2016 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 King Harihara Singh died heirlessly in 1851. at Rasulkonda (present Bhanjanagar) of Ganjam Widow queen Padmavati Devi handed over the District. Janardan Das of Kanakuturu, Sub- Zamidari to his younger brother Venketeshwar Registrar Narasingh Das of Purusottampur and Deo in the year 1864 just two years before her Dinabandhu Mohanty of Rasulkonda took a death (i.e. in 1866). Venketeshwar Deo was the leading role to make it grand success. younger brother of Chikiti Raja Pitambar Rajendra Deo and son of Nilambar Deo. He was This gathering created a feeling of intense a benevolent, and an Odia language lover king. love for Odia language and make Odias conscious He shouldered the responsibility of Katingia about the dismemberment problem of Odisha. Zamidari in a critical and crucial period. Odisha This conference was a grand success one witnessed a disastrous natural calamity i.e. famine with the presence of the Rayat Heads of of 1866. Its severity was so terrible that about a Hadagada Mutha (Tikabali), Chakapad third of the population died. This ghastly nature Khondam, Athar Mutha and Bara Mutha Heads. of the famine displayed serious defects in British The kings of Karada, Ranaba, Gadapur of Administration and lamentable neglect of the vital Kandhamal District, the kings of Palur, Huma, problem of the development of Odisha. Ganja, Mahuri, Surangi, Jarada, Purbakhanda, To save Odisha from this grave danger Khallikote, Athagada, Ghumsur, Sorada, and to awaken the Odia race a number of other Khemundi, Chikiti, Jalantar, Manjusha, Associations were also founded in different parts Paralakhemundi etc. also attended this conference. of Odisha, such as “Utkal Bhasa Vidhayini As a result “Odia Hitabadini Sabha” got its birth Sabha”-1866, “Cuttack Debating Club”-1869", in the year 1872, with the leadership of “Cuttack Young Men’s Association”-1869, “Odia Venketeshwar Deo. He acted as the Secretary Hitabadini Sabha”-1868 etc. of this Association and sent a memorandum to the Court of the Queen of England by Kalipada When efforts were made for imposition Bandopadhyaya, who had been to England to of Telugu Language instead of Odia as official submit financial statement of Madras Presidency language, on the people of south Odisha, the in 1873. people, kings and landlords of Khallikote, Dharakot, Sorada, Jalantar, Manjusha, Surangi, The gist of the memorandum was th Tikali, Parala, Katinga and Godapur resisted published in the “Utkal Dipika” on 18 October against it. Katinga Raja Sri Venketesh Deo with 1873, as follows: the help of William Mohanty, Balaram Moharana 1. Ganjam people may kindly be allowed to and Daniel Mohanty formed an organization correspond their grievances in Odia script. named “Ganjam Hitabadini Sabha” in the year 1868 to protect Odia language, culture and 2. All records should be made in Odia. society in an organized way. Raja Sri Venketeswar Deo was the President and William Mohanty was 3. Odia language should be the medium of the Secretary of the organization. education in all schools. The 1st session of “Ganjam Hitabadini 4. And, the students should allow to appear Sabha” was met on 14th September 1870 A.D. their examination in Odia script. April - 2016 71 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review But to his misfortune he became the in 1883 before the birth of Utkal Sammilani. The eyesore of the British Govt. British Govt. became footprints he left on the soil of Odisha on the way vigilant on Venketeshwar Deo. At last on 25th of Odia movement will remain forever in the April 1874, Rupa Singh with the help of local memory of Odias. Kandha leader Parsuram Kanhar joined hands with British Agent Mr. Forbes and got a decree References: for the estate. Venketeshwar Deo was dethroned 1. Utkal Dipila, 18.10.1873. by the British authority and Raghunath Singh the illegitimate son of Rupa Singh was placed on the 2. History of Modern Orissa: J.K. Samal, Firma KLM throne. Private Ltd., Culcutta-1989, After loss of Zamidari, he became depressed, poverty stricken and ill. He was permitted to reside in Peda Khemundi (Bada Khemundi) region. Finally he was received a Sananda on payment of annual Nazarana of Dr. Chittaranjan Mishra, Principal, Panchayat College, Rs.50/-. At last he passed away from this world Phiringia, Phulbani. 72 April - 2016.